``Talks to reach the first settlement in the currency-rigging probe are accelerating, with Britain's markets regulator preparing to reach a deal with a group of banks this year, people with knowledge of the situation said. The Financial Conduct Authority is in negotiations with banks including Barclays Plc (BARC), Citigroup Inc. (C), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and UBS AG (UBSN), said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private''